Shell Lake council sends donated sculpture back to Plan Commission after veterans raise concerns

The Shell Lake City Council on Aug. 11 unanimously voted to return a recommendation to accept a donated sculpture — and the proposal for its placement — to the Plan Commission after several residents said the work did not appropriately memorialize veterans.

At a public-comment period that spanned several speakers, George Cusick urged the council to consider longstanding memorial symbols at Memorial Park, including the U.S. flag, the POW flag and poppies, and to re-examine whether the sculpture would honor the park’s veterans. Gene Harrington told the council he had submitted a letter and said the sculpture should be reconsidered and that any additions should be historically related to Shell Lake or veteran affairs. Dawn Schrankel, citing her military service, described the sculpture as offensive and not related to the Veterans Memorial. Kent Wabrowetz asked the council to refer the matter back to the Plan Commission for reconsideration.

Councilmember Stephen Smith moved to send the Plan Commission recommendation back for review; Mike Andrews seconded the motion. "I appreciate the audience's need to be better educated, and would support the topic be referred back to the Plan Commission," Councilmember Tom Rasmussen said during discussion. The motion carried unanimously.

Why it matters: Memorial Park contains elements dating to the 1920s that residents and veterans say should be respected before new installations are approved. Returning the issue to the Plan Commission means the donated work and its proposed location will receive further deliberation and public-facing review.

The council did not adopt or reject the donation or a final placement at the meeting; instead, the Plan Commission will revisit both acceptance and location and report back to the council.